The CEO’s Hired Surrogate

His mother was always the one to come up with wild ideas. She was known for that. But never in her life had she thought of anything that equalled this. He knew she wanted him to have a family, she’d made sure he knew that with every opportunity she had. But he never imagined she would go this far.

For a minute Ryan paced around the room, his eyes studying every single piece of furniture that he’d scattered around the room. His eyes grazed over the walls as well, taking a careful glance at the paintings that he’d bought from one of his trips abroad. He did so because he wanted to clear his mind a bit before returning to the conversation he was having with his mother.

He needed to relax before he answered her. Turning towards the dining table, he watched as is mother sipped gracefully from her glass, watching him from beneath her lashes. Her green eyes were perfectly lined with the black winged eyeliner she usually drew on her lid. Taking a deep breath he sat at the table again. He was ready now. His mind was clear enough to continue the conversation.

“Mother, we both know that what you’re saying is insane.”

He threw his hands in the air in exasperation. His brows knitted together above his eyes. He tried looking her straight in the eye, desperately trying to prove his point to her. Meredith rolled her eyes and placed the glass of wine on the table, a few drops jumping from the glass and onto the table.

“Why is it insane, Ryan? Just think about it. It’s not like we’re the first, or last people, to think about it. I’ve thought about this for a long time, and have come to the conclusion that this is our best option.” She took a deep breath then continued, “I want a grandchild, Ryan! In fact, we need one. I waited and waited, hoping that you would settle down but we both know it will take a while until that happens. So why not take surrogacy into consideration? Why does it seem so insane to you? What do you have to lose?”

Ryan looked at her again. It wasn’t often he was left speechless, but that night seemed to be an exception because Ryan could hardly think about what to say. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair again and pursed his lips. He reached for his mother’s glass and swallowed the sweet liquid in one gulp. Meredith threw him a disagreeing look, but he ignored her.

What was weird was that he was actually considering her words. He was considering having a child. And he had no idea why. The only problem was the fear that slowly crept into his heart. He knew he wasn’t ready to take care of a child. He’d grown up with a careless father, and he wasn’t going to make his child suffer the same fate. He bit his lip and watched as his mother tied her long red hair in a bun, her eyes still scanning him, waiting for a response.

Ryan opened his mouth then closed it again. His shoulders lowered in defeat before he finally spoke.

“Mother, I’m not ready for a kid!” He hissed, the memory of his father angering him.

The memories of his childhood playing at the back of his mind, like the phantoms of the past that would forever haunt him. They lingered shamelessly in his brain, making it hard to focus on the matter at hand.

“I’ll be here to help. You’ll just have to be present.” And with that, his mother stood up and headed towards the door. However, she hesitated before leaving the room. “You will never be your father.” And with that, she kissed him goodnight and left.

With a sigh, Ryan stood up and headed to the small wooden globe by the window. His hands already opening the lid of the fancy piece of furniture and retrieving a bottle of rum. He needed to feel the bittersweet taste of the liquid as it trailed down his throat. The feeling of the glass against his lips was refreshing. He needed the alcohol, the wild thoughts that now rushed through his head wouldn’t be easily tamed. Not without the strong drink, he had poured himself.

He took his time and studied the horizon, watching the sky as it cried and screamed. He could see the way it bled that electrifying blue color, before roaring. The scene was familiar, a usual sight in the late hours of an autumn night. He’d seen it many times,but on that particular night the storm seemed different. It was too familiar, resembling a childhood memory too much.

He bit his lip and curled his hands tighter around the glass, as a vivid image took form at the back of his mind. He could remember that day clearly, unable to forget any detail related to it. Nearly twenty-six years had passed since that day, yet it still meant so much to him.

He was nine at the time, a child that was still unable to face his stupid fear of thunder. He remembered how he’d woke up that night because of the loud noises that echoed outside, and had descended the stairs on tiny wobbly feet. He was searching for Madame Marie, his nanny. He would usually seek the comforting arms of his mother, he always loved the way her sweet smell calmed him down. But on that night his mother was away for business, trying to close a deal in China. He also knew his father was away that night, at a business dinner. Or at least that’s what he’d told Ryan.

Ryan licked his lips and gritted his teeth once he remembered reaching the last step of the tall staircase only to see his father in the living room, pinning a woman against the wall, his hands trailing down the woman’s body, tracing the blond’s bare curves.

Ryan’s fists curled while his knuckles turned white due to the lack of blood. He felt like screaming when he remembered the way his father claimed he was the maid’s son in front of the woman. Even now he could barely believe how that low life could threaten him into not telling his mother about what had happened. He didn’t even promise him that would be the last time. No. In fact, that incident repeated itself, over and over again. Until Ryan grew older, and he finally manned up and told his mother.

The old man was dead now, but what good was it? He’d left his prints on Ryan’s life. Even in death, Ryan couldn’t forgive him, even after inheriting the empire his father had left behind.

Yes, indeed, Ryan was afraid he would disappoint his child, but he was never afraid he would turn into his father. No, he hated him too much to even think about becoming him. He also knew that he would never cheat or treat his child so badly. However, he was still afraid of making his own mistakes. What if he screwed up? What if he was a bad father? What if—

There were a lot of what-ifs. But somehow, he could see himself holding a child. Caring for a son or daughter. He was unsure if his sudden change of mind was due to the alcohol, but he was certainly more open to the idea now.